215/65 R16 will also fit fine on that car...roughly the same "height" as the 225/60s (very very slightly taller), but a little narrower.The owner's manual says Subaru recommends a snow tire size of 215 60 16 to ensure there are not clearance issues. I was always taught to get a slightly more narrow alternate size anyway for snow tires, before the manual said what it says.
One of the companies i'm looking at for tires says they can't get the 215's except from "Tire Rack .com" and they are pressuring me to get the standard size of 225 60 16 because they say it's not a good idea to get the smaller size.
Does anyone have an opinion on this?
Lee
I know about the words you're referring to in the manual, but I think it is being ultra-conservative there. I'd be surprised at any 225/60 16 tire not fitting.
For whatever it's worth, my summers are 215/65s because that's the closest size the tire I wanted came in. My winters are General Altimax Arctics in the 225/60 16 size and neither tires present any clearance/rubbing issues whatsoever.